Rotary pop-up sprinkler



May 5, 1964 c. v. MILLER ETAL ROTARY POP-UP SPRINKLER Sheets-Sheet lFiled May 51, 1965 gulf" llIll/IMI Q \u INVENTORS.

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May 5, 1964 c. v. MILLER ETAL 3,131,867

ROTARY POP-UP SPRINKLER Filed lay 31, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 CEc/z. Klll/LER RAY M. 145// rsa/v INVENTORS.

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May 5, 1964 c. v. MILLER ETAL 3,131,867

ROTARY POP-UP SPRINKLER Filed May 3l, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 F20; 140 Q Ul/'Ga 16o F "192 i I s 5 l l l l l i i l L J CEC/L u M/LEQ Ray M.W//rso/v INVENTORS.

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United States Patent() 3,131,867 ROTARY POP-UP SFRINKLER Cecil V.Miller, 9243 Larosa Brive, Temple City, Calif.,

and Ray M. Whitson, 1123 Sandia, La Inente, Calif.,

assignors of one-third to I. Q. Nees and Betty Nees,

Arcadia, Calif.

Filed May 31, 1963, Ser. No. 234,736 15 Claims. (Cl. 239-97) Thisinvention relates to a rotary pop-up sprinkler and more particularly toa sprinkler mounted below ground level which has a nozzle portion thatmay, by water pressure, be elevated above the ground level when inoperation and will rotate and water a predetermined area.

The invention relates to a pop-up sprinkler wherein the nozzle portionis rotated by uid action drive means which is rotated by water obliquelystriking said drive means, and a water passage through a rigid diaphragmmeans which regulates the amount and direction of water ejected from thenozzle.

An object of this invention is to provide a rotary popup sprinkler wherethe sprinkler will spray an area of predetermined shape smoothly andevenly without interruption.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary pop-up sprinklerhaving internal working parts which cannot be damaged by forciblyinterfering with the rotation of the head portion.

A further object of this invention is to provide a popup sprinkler thatmay be fitted with diaphragm means having different sizes and shapes ofwater passages which control the ow and direction of water to achievedifferent patterns of Water spray.

These and other objects of the invention will be made more fullyapparent from a consideration of the description which follows taken inconjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational sectional View of the rotary pop-upsprinkler in an at rest position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational cross sectional view similar to FIGURE 1wherein the sprinkler head or nozzle is raised above the sprinkler inoperating position;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional View taken on line 3 3 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4 4 of FIGURE 1 showingin detail the lluid actuated drive means;

FIGURE 5 is a View taken on line 5 5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG- URE 3 but with thesprinkler head rotated 90.

FIGURE 7 is a detailed sectional View of a portion of the sprinkler headand fluid actuated drive means taken on line 7 7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view partly in section taken on line 8 8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURES 9, 10, 11 and 12 are cross sectional views similar to FIGURE 3illustrating modied diaphragm means which may be utilized to obtain aradial stream of water from the sprinkler of a 360, 90, 120 or 270 arc,respectively;

FIGURES 13, 15 and 17 are further modifications of diaphragm means whichmay be used to obtain rectangular, square or diamond shaped patterns ofwater spray, respectively; and

FIGURES 14, 16 and 18 are schematic views of the pattern shapes that canbe achieved by use of the means illustrated in FIGURES 13, 15 and 17.

In general, a rotary pop-up sprinkler designated 20 is mounted below theground where it is desired to water grass or other growth by aerialwatering such as may be found on golf courses, yards, parks, etc.

3,131,8671 Patented May 5, 1964 ICCY The sprinkler 20 comprises anelongated circular housing designated 22 having a central portion 24, aninwardly tapering annular shoulder 26 extending from the portion 24 andan internally threaded collar 23 formed on the shoulder 26. Rising fromthe central portion 24 is a slightly outwardly tapered annular shoulder25 and extending upwardly therefrorn is an upper straight sided portion32 having external threads 34 at the top 35. The upper portion 32 of thehousing 22 is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed internallongitudinal guide grooves 36 extending from the top 35 of the housing22 and terminating forming internal shoulders 37 adjacent the centralportion 24.

A circular cap 33 formed with internal threads 39 is threadably securedon threads 34 at the top of the housing 22. Additionally, there isformed in the cap 33 a centrally located opening dll. 0n the sideexterior 33a of the cap a plurality of outwardly projecting ri'os 42 areformed to be utilized with a wrench for removing the cap to gain accessinto the housing 22.

The housing 22 is secured by threaded collar 28 onto a normal water piperiser 3i) such as is illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 whereby the top ofthe cap 38 will normally be ilush with the ground surface.

An annular internal shoulder 4S is provided on the interior of thehousing at the tapered shoulder 26. Upon this shoulder 48 there isseated a conical screen filter 45 which projects into the riser 30. Theprimary function is to filter and screen foreign matter from the wateras it comes through the riser 3d. Also, the shape of the screen will notallow foreign matter to congregate on the screen but be forced to theside so water tlow will be unimpaired. Mounted on top of the conicalscreen 46 is a directional ilow means or circular flow direction plate5t? and a snap ring 52 is inserted in an annular groove 52 to hold thedirectional means 50 and conical screen 46 in place. The means 50 isprovided with a plurality of jet water passages 56 as best seen inFIGURE 5. These jet water passages are normally angled from the Verticalto allow water flowing into the housing 22 to enter on an angular andspiral path, such as is seen by the dotted lines in FIGURE 2. The flowof water into the housing will be at an oblique angle from the riser 30caused by theV angle of the openings 56. The reasons for such obliquespiral path of water will be subsequently explained.

Within the housing 22 there is provided a rotary sprinkler head ornozzle generally designated 5S. The sprinkler head means 58 normallyassumes an at rest position such as is seen in FIGURE 1 where the entiremechanism is within the housing 22. However, when water is released intothe housing 22, the hydrostatic pressure wil raise the sprinkler headmeans 53 so that the houle 59 will protrude out of the housing such asis seen in FIGURE 2. The details of construction will be subsequentlydescribed.

The rotary sprinkler head means 58 includes a rigid diaphragm means 60of a relatively at plate having end extensions 61 adapted to be slidablymounted within the respective grooves 36. The diaphragm means 60illustrated in FIGURES l and 6 is additionally formed with a waterpassage or arcuate slot 62 of approximately 180. The slot 62 is of auniform width. Resting and rotatively bearing upon the diaphragm means66 is the circular nozzle 59. The nozzle 59 illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2and 7 is rotatably mounted on the diaphragm and is formed with a pair ofdiametrically opposite passageways or ports 613 extending from thebottom of the nozzle upwardly on inwardly inclined planes from thevertical to a point where they project from the inclined planeslaterally outwardly to the exterior of the head 59. Additionally, thereis provided a pair of smaller sized or arenas? minor'lateral passageways68 which extend outwardly from the passage 66 belowrthe upper largerlateral portion. The ports 66 are formed so that they may be inYintermittent registry with the slot 62 as the nozzle is rotated.Further, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG- VVURES 3, 6 and 9 throughl2, the width of the slot 62 -corresponds with the diameter of the port.

Suspended below the diaphragm means 60 is a iuid actuated drive meansgenerally designated 69. This as- Vsernbly 69 is mounted upon a studVbolt 70 which is secured in and projects downwardly from the nozzle 59through ad opening 71 in the diaphragm means 60.

Vsides 73a.

The drive means 69 includes a rotatable striker mernber 74 which Vwillbe locked or keyed to the bolt 7 0 on the collar 73. The striker74'includes a down-turned linger portionY 74a. A washer 75 ispositioned.y between the v striker 74 and the diaphragm 60. Below thestriker 74' a rotatable drive arm sleeve 76 is mounted for free ro-Vtation on the bolt 7G. A nut 73 is threadably secured to the bolt 701mthe bottom to hold the above described striker and sleeve in position.In this construction, the

' nozzle 59 and striker 74 will rotate together, and the sleeve 76 willbe free to rotate independently of the` head and linger. Y f

. The sleeve 76 is formed with an elongated cylindrical drive arm orimpeller S which is slightly inclined from the horizontal, as best seenin FIGURES l, 2 and 7, and has a ball race 81 including a bore 82 in theelevated front portion thereof. a Weight or ball 84 which is freelymovable up and down within the bore 82 but is retained from falling outof the bore by means of the crimped end S6. The crimping is just enoughto allow the ball 84 to extend part way out of the bore, as seen inFIGURES 1 and 2, so that it may contact the striker iinger on itsarcuate interior surface 90 as best seen in FIGURE 4.

Mounted within the bore 82 is Y In operation, water owing through theriser pipe 30 y and conical screen 46 is emitted through jets 56 intothe interior of the housing 22 in a circular swirling pattern, and asthewater within the housing rises, the sprinkler means 58 and drive means69 will be forced upwardly to the point, as seen in FIGURE 2, where thenozzle 59 will pop-up and project above the ground level. The entireassembly is guided upwardly by the extensions 61 riding in the grooves36. It has been found that normally a water line pressure ofapproximately tive pounds per square inch is suicient to raise thesprinkler head to the position as seen in FIGURE 2. As the water linepressure'builds up, more force is exerted in this circular patternYVagainst the vane 80 of the fluid actuated means 69 causing thisassembly torotate. By centrifugal force, the ball S4 will be urged fromits normal at rest position in the ball race 82, as best seen in FIGURE7, to an extended position, as best seen in FIGURES l and 2, so that theball will strike and engage the arcuate interior surface 90 of thestriker finger 74a imparting rotation thereto. As the. striker i4 iskeyed to the nozzle 59, it will rotate with the striker. Y

An advantage of .such construction is that should rotation of the nozzle59 be interfered with, such as holding the nozzle, the drive means 69cannot be damaged because of thisY ball and ball 'race construction, andonce the interference has been eliminated, rotation will be immediatelyresumed. Thus it can be seen that the life expectancy of such asprinkler will be greatly increased.

When theV water is turned oit, the rotation of the drive means 69 willbe reduced and the ball 84 will gravitationally roll out of contact withthe striker nger74a. l As water is forced through the slot 62 of thediaphragm 60 and the Vnozzle '59 rotates, the passageways or ports 66will register with the slot 62 for an arc of rotation allowing waterwhich has built up Within the housing 22 to be forced through the ports66 and out the nozzle 59. It will be noted that in the embodiment of theinvention as shown in FIGURES 3 and 6 the slot 62 extends forapproximately 180 around the diaphragm 60 so that a full stream of waterwill only be allowed in one passageway at a time because the passagewaysare spaced 180 apart. This embodiment would be used ywhen it is desiredto have a 180 spray of water from the head. By this valve action, waterwill only be allowed to pass out one of the ports 66 for one-half of therevolution of the nozzle 59, or 180. Water passing out the lateral port68 will spray from the nozzle approximately the rst half of the distanceof the pattern and the larger lateral port 66 will spray the remainingarea of the pattern.

Various arcs and lengths of slots may be formed in Vthe diaphragm 60 sothat the water forced from the nozzle S9 may be directed in apredetermined pattern fora coverage o a specilic area. Such isillustrated in the embodiments of FIGURES 9 through l2.

Where itis desired to haveV a complete 360 coverage, only one port orpassageway 66 is necessary anda cornplete 360 slot 62a may be' providedin the plateV 60 such as is seen in FIGURE 9. In such a case, it isnecessary, however, toV provide structural support-spokes 92, but thespokes are of such a small thickness that the flow of water will not beinterrupted when full water pressure is built up within theV pipes. j n

When itis desired that a spray or pattern of be used, the diaphragm 60is providedV with a 90 slot 62b. Additionally, it is necessary toprovide four passageways 66 within the nozzle 59 so that there will be acontinuous flow of water in the 90 arc; in other words, two passagewayscan be in registry with the slot 62h at a time, but the area covered bythe water will be limited to thepredetermined 90 larc of the slot. Y

In FIGURES l1 and l2, additional modications are shown for sprinkling ina pattern of a and 270 arc'. In FIGURE ll, there are three passageways66 and a slot 2c of 270. In FIGURE 12, where the slot 62e extends for270 as in FIGURE 11', there is an additional passageway 66 making tourin all. This will insure a pattern' of 270 as the nozzle 59 -is rotatedVupon the diaphragm 60'.

The diaphragm means 60 are interchangeable, so by knowing the area to bewatered by the sprinkler, thel correct diaphragm means 60 or 60 can beinserted within the housing 22. v Y

In FIGURES 13, l5 and 16, additional modiied diaphragm means 60" areillustrated. The diaphragm 60 has an exterior construction coincidentwith the diaphragm 60; however, the slots differ in configuration. Inall cases, the grooves 62d, 62e and 62)c shown in FIG- URES 13, l5 and17, respectively, have an arcof 180. The'width of the respective groovesvaries dependent upon the desired pattern.

Each of the slots, due to the varying widths, will cause the water to bedischarged in a radial pattern of predetermined conguration such as arectangle 90, a square 92 and a triangle 94, illustrated by dotted linesin FIGURES 14, 16 and I8, respectively. V

It can be seen that with thevarying of the slot widths either larger orsmaller than the'diameter of the ports 66, more or less water may bedischarged to conform with the predetermined pattern.

The other modified slots 62e and 62f operate similarly to the slot 62d.

Itshould be noted that only a few modied plates have been illustratedand described; however, other variations ot slot designs may be providedto .create any desired pattern of water coverage and the invention isnot restricted to these specic embodiments.

While the instant invention has been shown and de-V scribed herein inwhatl is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, itis recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope ofthe invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the detailsdisclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims soas to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

We claim:

1. A pop-up sprinkler comprising a generally vertical housing embodyingmeans at its lower end for attachment to a water supply element andhaving an opening at its upper end, a nozzle disposed within saidhousing when the sprinkler is inoperative and slidable through saidopening to an elevated position when the sprinkler is operating, rigiddiaphragm means nonrotatably but vertically slidably mounted within saidhousing and supporting said nozzle for rotation of said nozzle on saidmeans, a fluid actuated drive means disposed in said housing below saiddiaphragm and operably connected with said nozzle through saiddiaphragm, directional iiow means in the lower portion of said housingbelow said iiuid actuated drive means whereby water under pressureintroduced through said directional flow means will obliquely strikesaid drive means causing the same to rotate and in turn to rotate thenozzle, the force of said water acting upon the lower surface of thediaphgram and elevating the same to project the nozzle vertically fromthe housing, and the diaphragm having a water passage therethroughcommunicating between the housing below the diaphragm and a port in thenozzle whereby water will iiow through said port and be disbursed bysaid nozzle.

2. A pop-up sprinkler as deiined in claim 1 wherein the water passagethrough said rigid diaphragm means is generally an elongated arcuateslot circumferentially interrupted by a wall of the diaphragm wherebythe angular restriction of water disbursed from said nozzle isdetermined.

3. A pop-up sprinkler as defined in claim 2 wherein the width of thegenerally elongated arcuate slot of said rigid diaphragm means may bevaried whereby a volume of water which can iiow through said diaphragmand be disbursed through said nozzle varies at dierent arcuate locationsto further regulate a spray pattern of said nozzle.

4. A pop-up sprinkler as defined in claim 3 wherein the rigid diaphragmis interchangeable in the housing with a diaphragm means having a waterpassage of diiferent configuration.

5. A pop-up sprinkler as defined in claim l wherein the rigid diaphragmmeans is a generally at plate including a pair of radially extendingguide arms which engage said housing.

6. A pop-up sprinkler comprising a generally vertical housing embodyingmeans Yat its lower end for normally permanent attachment to a watersupply element and having an opening at its upper end, said housingbeing adapted to be mounted below the ground, a nozzle disposed withinsaid housing when the sprinkler is inoperative and slidable through saidopening to an elevated position above the ground when the sprinkler isoperating, rigid diaphragm means nonrotatably but vertically slidablymounted within said housing and supporting said nozzle for rotation ofsaid nozzle on said means, a iiuid actuated drive means disposed in saidhousing below said diaphram and operably connected with said nozzlethrough said diaphragm, directional ow means in the lower portion ofsaid housing below said uid actuated drive means whereby water underpressure introduced through said directional ow means will obliquelystrike said drive menas causing the same to rotate and in turn to rotatethe nozzle, the force of said water acting upon the lower surface of thediaphragm and elevating the same to project the nozzle vertically fromthe housing, and the diaphragm having a water passage therethroughcommunicating between the housing below the diaphragm and a port in thenozzle whereby water will iiow through said port and be disbursed bysaid nozzle.

7. A pop-up sprinkler as defined in claim 1 wherein said iiuid drivemeans comprises a shaft interlocked with said nozzle, a striker memberalso interlocked with said nozzle and an impeller member freelyrotatable on the shaft disengageably engageable with said striker memberdependent upon the oblique water pressure applied thereto.

8. A pop-up sprinkler as defined in claim 6 wherein said impeller membercomprises a vane rotatably actuated by the said water, and weightedmeans diametrically opposite said vane advanceable by centrifugal forceinto driving engagement with said striker member.

9. A pop-up sprinkler as defined in claim 8 wherein Said weighted meansincludes a ball race inclined upwardly from the axis of said shaft and aball movable therealong whereby in the absence of suliicient centrifugalforce to eifect the drivable engagement of said ball with said strikermember said ball will return by gravity out of contact with the strikermember.

10. A pop-up sprinkler comprising a generally vertical housing embodyingmeans at its lower end for `attachment to a water supply element andhaving an opening at its upper end, a nozzle disposed within saidhousing when the sprinkler is inoperative and slidable through saidopening to an elevated position when the sprinkler is operating, a rigidgenerally iiat plate diaphragm having a pair of radially extending guidearms engaging said housing nonrotatably but vertically slidably mountedwithin said housing and supporting said nozzle for rotation of saidnozzle on said means, a fluid actuated drive means disposed in saidhousing below said diaphragm and operably connected with said nozzlethrough said diaphragm, directional flow means in the lower portion ofsaid housing below said uid actuated drive means whereby water underpressure introduced through said directional flow means will obliquelystrike said drive means causing the same to rotate and in turn to rotatethe nozzle, the force of said water acting upon the lower surface of thediaphragm and elevating the same to project the nozzle vertically fromthe housing, and the diaphragm having a generally elongated arcuate slotcircumferentially interrupted by a Wall of the diaphragm communicatingbetween the housing below the diaphragm and a port in the nozzle wherebythe angular restriction of water through said port and saidnozzle isdetermined.

1l. A pop-up sprinkler as dened in claim l wherein the nozzle isperforate along its longitudinal axis and includes at least one porthaving a portion of said port disposed generally longitudinally adjacentthe axis and a second portion of said port extending generally laterallytherefrom forming an ejection orifice.

12. A pop-up sprinkler as defined in claim l1 wherein said nozzleincludes a plurality of ports and ejection oriiices.

13. A pop-up sprinkler as defined in claim 11 wherein said port includesa third portion disposed below and on a plane with said second portionforming an additional ejection orifice.

14. A pop-up sprinkler comprising a generally vertical housing embodyingmeans at its lower end for attachment to a water supply element andhaving an opening at its upper end, a nozzle disposed within saidhousing when the sprinkler is inoperative and slidable through saidopening to an elevated position when the sprinkler is operating, rigiddiaphragm means nonrotatably but vertically slidably mounted within saidhousing and supporting said nozzle for rotation of said nozzle on saidmeans, a uid actuated drive means disposed in said housing below saiddiaphragm and operably connected with said nozzle through saiddiaphragm, directional ow means in the lower portion of said housingbelow said fluid actuated drive means, said directional ilow meansincluding a plate disposed normal to the flow of water and having aplurality of jets angularly disposed from the plane of said platewhereby water under pressure introduced rthrough said jets willobliquely strike said drive'means causing the same to rotateand in turnto rotate the nozzle, the force of said water acting upon the lowersurface of the diaphragm and elevating the same to project .the nozzlevertically from the housing, and the diaphragm having a waterpassagetherethrough communicating between the housing below thediaphragm and a port in the nozzle wherebyl water will ow through` saidport Vand be disbursed by said nozzle. S Y v i 1.5.,A pop-up sprinklercomprising a generally vertical housing rembodying means at its lowerend for normally permanent attachment to a water supply element andhaving an openingV at its upper end, saidhous-l ing being adapted to bemounted Ybelow the ground, a nozzle disposed within said housing whenthe sprinkler is inoperativeand slidable through said opening to anVelevated position above ground when the sprinkler is terlocked withsaid nozzle and an impeller member free-V ly rotatable on the shaftdisengageably engageable with saidv strilfrerY member, all disposed insaid housing below said diaphragm and operably connected with saidnozzle through said diaphragm, directional ow means in the lower portionof said housing below said uid actuated U cumferentially interrupted bya wall of the diaphragm Y and communicating between the housing belowthe diaphragm and a port vin thenozzle whereby water will flow throughsaid port and be disbursed by said nozzle.

References Cited in the tile of this patent kUNITED STATES PATENTS tColesA et al. June 28, 1932 2,009,478 Coles et al.` July 30, 19352,081,510 Smart May 25, 1937 2,268,855 Brooks Jan. 6, 1942 2,414,052Martin Jau. 7, 1947 2,990,120 Reynolds June 27, 1961

1. A POP-UP SPRINKLER COMPRISING A GENERALLY VERTICAL HOUSING EMBODYINGMEANS AT ITS LOWER END FOR ATTACHMENT TO A WATER SUPPLY ELEMENT ANDHAVING AN OPENING AT ITS UPPER END, A NOZZLE DISPOSED WITHIN SAIDHOUSING WHEN THE SPRINKLER IS INOPERATIVE AND SLIDABLE THROUGH SAIDOPENING TO AN ELEVATED POSITION WHEN THE SPRINKLER IS OPERATING, RIGIDDIAPHRAGM MEANS NONROTATABLY BUT VERTICALLY SLIDABLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAIDHOUSING AND SUPPORTING SAID NOZZLE FOR ROTATION OF SAID NOZZLE ON SAIDMEANS, A FLUID ACTUATED DRIVE MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID HOUSING BELOW SAIDDIAPHRAGM AND OPERABLY CONNECTED WITH SAID NOZZLE THROUGH SAIDDIAPHRAGM, DIRECTIONAL FLOW MEANS IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID HOUSINGBELOW SAID FLUID ACTUATED DRIVE MEANS WHEREBY WATER UNDER PRESSUREINTRODUCED THROUGH SAID DIRECTIONAL FLOW MEANS WILL OBLIQUELY STRIKESAID DRIVE MEANS CAUSING THE SAME TO ROTATE AND IN TURN TO ROTATE THENOZZLE, THE FORCE OF SAID WATER ACTING UPON THE LOWER SURFACE OF THEDIAPHGRAM AND ELEVATING THE SAME TO PROJECT THE NOZZLE VERTICALLY FROMTHE HOUSING, AND THE DIAPHRAGM HAVING A WATER PASSAGE THERETHROUGHCOMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE HOUSING BELOW THE DIAPHRAGM AND A PORT IN THENOZZLE WHEREBY WATER WILL FLOW THROUGH SAID PORT AND BE DISBURSED BYSAID NOZZLE.